The Heron's Cry
A Detective Matthew Venn Novel
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4.2 • 379 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Ann Cleeves—New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of the Vera and Shetland series, both of which are hit TV shows—returns with The Heron's Cry, the mesmerizing second book in the Matthew Venn series.
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!
“In Matthew Venn, Ann has created a complex, daring, subtle character.” —Louise Penny
"A complex mystery full of surprises . . . this character-driven exploration of people's darkest flaws is a sterling example of Cleeves' formidable talents." —Kirkus Reviews
North Devon is enjoying a rare hot summer with tourists flocking to its coastline. Detective Matthew Venn is called out to a rural crime scene at the home of a group of artists. What he finds is an elaborately staged murder--Dr Nigel Yeo has been fatally stabbed with a shard of one of his glassblower daughter's broken vases.
Dr. Yeo seems an unlikely murder victim. He's a good man, a public servant, beloved by his daughter. Matthew is unnerved, though, to find that she is a close friend of Jonathan, his husband.
Then another body is found--killed in a similar way. Matthew soon finds himself treading carefully through the lies that fester at the heart of his community and a case that is dangerously close to home.
DI Matthew Venn returns in The Heron's Cry, in Ann Cleeves powerful next novel, proving once again that she is a master of her craft.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In Agatha Award winner Cleeves's well-crafted sequel to 2019's The Long Call, Det. Matthew Venn investigates the murder of retired physician Nigel Yeo, who was found by his glassblower daughter, Eve Yeo, in her Devon, England, studio with a shard from one of her handmade vases in his neck. As director of a patient advocacy group, Nigel was probing the death of a paranoid patient who killed himself after being released from a psychiatric hospital. The CEO of the health trust in charge of the hospital, who met with Nigel the morning before the murder, can't afford to have his reputation sullied by blame for the suicide. But when a second victim is found murdered by glass from one of Eve's vases, Matthew reconsiders her involvement. Conflict erupts at home, as Eve's a friend of Matthew's husband, Jonathan, who thinks Matthew's suspicion of Eve is misguided. Jonathan also dislikes Matthew drawing rigid lines between his personal and professional life. Though Matthew's inflexible personality mutes the narrative at times, the intricate plotting, complex characters, and rich atmosphere more than compensate. Both new and existing fans will be pleased.
Customer Reviews
Another enjoyable Matthew Venn mystery
I love the characters and atmosphere of this series. The ending was a bit farfetched, but it was a pleasure getting there.
Heron’s Call
I very much like the protagonist in this story.
So much heart.
Beautifully written, complex, and moving. I loved every moment of it.